Mattar scored the winning goal against Oman in the final of the biennial regional tournament as the Emirates won the competition for the first time in their history, but Mattar is not thinking beyond his commitments to current employers Al Wahda.

"I am a professional player with Al Wahda club in Abu Dhabi," said Mattar in Saturday's edition of the Gulf News.

"I have to respect my contract and play for Al Wahda without making myself busy with professionalism which I think it's early to speak about it."

Mattar, who was named the Most Valuable Player for his performances in the tournament, mirroring the success he had at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, when he picked up the same award.

However, despite the adulation, Mattar paid tribute to Sheikh Saeed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and said his future as a professional was in teh hands of the Al Wahda club president.

"Sheikh Saeed, the man who discovered and took care of me from when I was under 12, until I became the best player in the Gulf Cup, is the only one who can decide about my plans to play professional outside the UAE," he said.

Mattar will lead the UAE's assault on this year's AFC Asian Cup, where they have been drawn to face defending champions Japan, co-hosts Vietnam and Asian Games gold medallists Qatar in what is shaping up to be one of the toughest groups in the competition.